Electric vehicle and roadway power system therefore

Abstract

An electrical vehicle transportation system that includes a powered roadway system having electrically conductive roadway segments that are engageable to a roadway surface, and an electrical vehicle having a control system and an energy harvesting system, the vehicle control system being programmed to energize roadway segments disposed within a defined vehicle envelope and de-energize the roadway segments prior to transitioning outside of the vehicle envelope when the vehicle is traversing the roadway.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 574,986, filed Aug. 12, 2011.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to electrically operated transportation vehicle systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved electrically operated transportation vehicle and roadway power system for supplying power to the electric vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]As is well known in the art, there are several types of electrically operated vehicles. The first type is heavily dependent on an outside power source for functional operation. One well-known example comprises electrically powered public transportation vehicles, such as a trolley or bus, which receive electrical power through overhead electrical cables. The noted vehicles typically have a very limited battery pack and, hence, are generally confined to region(s) proximate power cables.[0004]The second type of electric...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028]A key advantage of the invention is thus the provision of an improved roadway power system for an electric vehicle having segmented, parallel electrically-conducting surfaces that are energized only upon engagement with an electric vehicle operating on the roadway and within a defined and controlled vehicle envelope.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the limitations of battery capacity, a pure battery-operated vehicle typically has to reserve a significant portion of its weight for the battery pack.

A pure battery-operated vehicle also has a significant limitation in the distance it can travel between battery charges.

There are several well known drawbacks and disadvantages associated with hybrid vehicles.

Among the drawbacks is the use of a combustion engine and the weight and emissions associated therewith.

Hybrid vehicles are also typically quite expensive.

There are several significant drawbacks and disadvantages associated with the noted electric vehicle and roadway system.

A major drawback is that recessed strips are susceptible to short circuits due to water, ice and any conducting foreign objects on the road.

Further, since the strips are continuously energized, the roadway power system poses a serious risk to foot traffic.

This requires the plates to be accessible outside of the vehicle, which similarly poses a serious risk to foot traffic.

There are several significant drawbacks and disadvantages associated with the noted electric vehicle and roadway system.

A major drawback is that the vehicle employs a very complicated electromagnetic system to obtain power from the roadway system.

A further drawback of noted electric vehicle and roadway system is that the energy that can be transferred to the vehicle is significantly limited.

Indeed, in some instances, such as a steep terrain, the magnitude of the power that is required to power the vehicle may be insufficient.

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